New Lionfish :)

[weluvfish54]

I got a new Lionfish yesterday for my 120 gallon. so far hes the only fish in there. hes like 8" and very healthy. currently trying to get him to eat frozen food, he was eating live goldfish previous. is that a healthy diet ? im trying to get him on frozen silver sides and most of the time he eats them due to the high flow in the tank, but wont touch frozen krill. any other ideas? i want it to be a healthy diet. also what tankmates would be good to add? i was looking into an angel or two..any suggestions or experiences?

pics

 

[LukFox]

Goldfish aren't good for him because they're very fatty fish and freshwater. I'd probably keep him off krill, too. It's been known to cause lockjaw and consequently death if fed too often. Try going to your grocery store and picking up a mix of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. You don't need to get much of each, but just get a variety. It shouldn't be very expensive at all for an 8" lion.

I'm not sure how large angels will mix with a lion. Some like to pick at things, and the fins could be tempting. It could work though. Tangs, wrasses, and eels would make good tank mates. For sure I'd stay away from triggers and puffers to be safe.

 

[ledford1]

Looks like a great lion.

Feeding goldfish isn't a good idea. You'll want to have your lion on a marine-based diet.

I used an acrylic feeding stick to help get my lion on frozen foods. Put a piece of thawed food on the end of the stick and then wiggle it around to the the lion's interest. It will most likely take some time before you have success though. But once switched over, just about any meaty treat will be devoured.

Another trick I used to help aid the transition was teaching the lion to always feed in the same spot. I chose the front, left corner of the tank, and would always drop the food in that spot - so the lion would learn when food appeared there, it was time for him to eat.

As for foods, krill, mysis, squid, silversides, etc. Formula frozen cube foods can be a way to also add more variety in the diet.

When thawing the food, you can also add vitamins. Items like Vita-Chem and Selcon are usually easy to find at fish stores, but some people also find particular vitamins at health stores.

 

[reefer334]

Nice Fish!!!


Chris

 

[weluvfish54]

ok so i was right about the goldfish, hes taking silversides really well. how often should i feed those?
i will go to the store and pick up some more variety also. thanks for the great advice.

 

[eros]

If he's eating Silversides then you're in good shape. Mine took a few days before it would eat them. Give it some time and it will soon eat whatever you put in the tank. I feed mine by hand that way I know the fish doesnt get hidden behind a rock or something and foul my tank if he decides not to eat it. Be careful if you do this though, so far I havent been stung or anything but it could happen. I try to make sure he comes from directly in front of my hand that way I have less chance of touching his fins. I'm pretty comfortable doing it now. Sometimes I will just dangle the head of the fish in the water and make the lions come get it. I feed my Black Volitan and my Dwarf Fuzzy this way.

 

[eros]

Forgot to mention add a vitamin supplement. I use Marine Zoe and Zoecon mixed together and either soak them overnight or freeze them in the solution to thaw out later and feed.

 

[predator 1]

Feeding the Lions Goldfish can damage their liver!
I have my Lion living with with Triggers and Arothrons, and as yet have not observed any "Fin Nipping"
But please be advised, A mature Clown Trigger, is one of only a handful of fish (Cornett fish is another) that can "Dismantle" and "Destroy" a healthy and Mature Lion Fish!

 

[Stang408]

Great looking lion! I love lions 'cause they look so regal.

About feeding silversides...is it ok to thaw it in warm tap water before feeding it to the fishes or would it be ok to just toss it in the tank frozen?

 

[eros]

Thaw them. I have heard it can put your fish into shock if they eat food while still frozen. You can thaw them in tap water or a small amount of tank water that you remove from the tank.

 

[phk36]

i feed my fish with a red plastic cup. When the fish see the red cup they know its time to eat. I also have a Lion in a 180 with angels and it does fine